More than 100 entries have already been received for this year’s Somerset Stages Rally.

Entries levels for this year’s Somerset Stages Rally have already exceeded the 100 mark and organisers are predicting another bumper year for the April 16 event.

After winning the BTRDA Rally of the Year in 2015, the Minehead based event is preparing for yet another top class entry of 150 crews who will tackle the familiar forest roads across North Somerset and Exmoor.

Playing host to the Ravenol BTRDA Rally Series, the 38th running of the event sees the popular forests of Croydon, Chargot, Timberscombe, Kennisham and Knowle being used, as well as the now traditional all-asphalt Porlock Toll Road stage.

Organisers have faced a battle with Mother Nature during the past few weeks as severe rain on Exmoor during the autumn and winter months have made a significant impact on the forest roads in the area. The team have been working hard to arrange repairs and in some cases, route changes in the stages.

Clerk of the course Jason Hayes is keeping a close eye on the weather in the area to ensure minimum disruption to the event. He said: “We are working closely with the Forestry Commission and landowners to ensure the rally can use the best roads possible in the forests.

“We are pretty much checking them every day, so while this may mean some last-minute route changes, we are of course on track to offer a successful Somerset Stages for both competitors and spectators alike.”

As a result, the Burnham Motor Club and Minehead Motor Club organised event has held entry fees at the 2015 level, despite many other fees increasing and the committee are keen to welcome crews to the only loose surface rally in the South of England.

“Forest Stage rallies are becoming scarce in England, so we are really proud to host the Somerset Stages for the 38th time,” says Hayes. “We would encourage anyone who is thinking of entering to do so as soon as possible to ensure they secure a place on the entry list.”

The Somerset Stages Rally will also play host to a wide range of other popular championships including the MAXXIS Tyres MSA English Rally Championship, the second year of the BTRDA Rally Challenge and the ASWMC Loose Surface Stage Rally Championship.

More information will be published closer to the event at www.somersetstagesrally.com and you can keep up to date with all the latest news on the event Facebook and Twitter feeds. http://www.facebook.com/somersetstagesrally www.twitter.com/somersetstages